1. Robert on October 18th, 2005 at 10:08 am
   

   Astro manager Phil Garner should have figured something bad was going to happen with Brad Lidge, when on Saturday, he gave up some hits and his first run and fortunately won by one run. Then on Sunday, it took two great defensive gems to save Lidge from losing that one. And then the diaster of Monday night. I know he is their closer and if it wasn’t for him, they wouldn’t have gotten this far but the way I see it, you could have brought Lidge in anytime if the middle reliever had gotten in trouble in the ninth inning. I also know confidence is also part of the equation. So the Astros went with their best, unfortunately against the Cardinal’s best and lost. The odds are still in the Astro’s favor because if you can’t win with either Oswalt or Clemens then you probably don’t deserve to win. Let’s hope we don’t have to say: “Wait until next year!!”
2. Willie on October 18th, 2005 at 10:20 am
   

   Lidge should have walked Pujols and focused on Reggie Sanders. Pujols is the best, most feared slugger in baseball. Why let him hit in that situation? Bad decision. We’re right back where we were last year (up 3-2, heading back to St. Louis). I fear the outcome will be the same.
3. Tim on October 18th, 2005 at 10:34 am
   

   I disagree on flat out walking Pujols. You cannot put the tieing run in scoring position, where then even a single would tie the game. Now, it was certainly a mistake pitch, but throwing to Pujols was certainly the only way to go given the circumstances.

   And I certainly don’t think you put anyone out there besides Lidge. The guy is as good as they get (save for Rivera, perhaps) when it comes to closers, and it was only a 2 run lead. It’s the EXACT situation you bring your closer out in. You don’t wait until there are a couple guys on base to bring him in.

   I still have confidence that the Astros can get this one, though…with Clemens and Oswalt to go, the Cardinals still have an uphill climb ahead of them.
4. Willie on October 18th, 2005 at 10:44 am
   

   I know walking Pujols violates the “rules” of baseball, but why allow the best player in baseball to beat you? The runner at second means nothing if Lidge takes care of Sanders. I would intentionally walk Pujols every at bat. No other Cardinal is capable of beating you.
5. suziQ on October 18th, 2005 at 1:36 pm
   

   The game ending last night just proves that Lidge is human. I’m sure his nerves were shot too…but I agree with Willie. He should have walked Pujols. The odds were greater that Lidge could retire the next batter or that the game would tie up before getting the last out of the inning…but then hindsight is 20/20 is it not? Go Stros…they have the “right stuff” this year to bring it all home!!!
6. skicougar on October 18th, 2005 at 6:01 pm
   

   Did you know what is going on in Iraq ?

   Did you know that 47 countries have reestablished their embassies in Iraq?

   Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people?

   Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been built in Iraq?

   Did you know that Iraq’s higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?

   Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?

   Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational?! They have 5- 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.

   Did you know that Iraq’s Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers?

   Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion?

   Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?

   Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks?

   Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq? They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities.

   Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?

   Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October?

   Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%?

   Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations?

   Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?

   Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently?

   OF COURSE WE DIDN’T KNOW!
   WHY DIDN’T WE KNOW? OUR MEDIA WOULDN’T TELL US!
   Instead of reflecting our love for our country, we get photos of flag burning incidents at Abu Ghraib and people throwing snowballs at the presidential motorcades.
   The lack of accentuating the positive in Iraq serves two purposes. It is intended to undermine the world’s perception of the United States thus minimizing consequent support, and it is intended to discourage American citizens.

   —- Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.
7. Ken Kelley on October 18th, 2005 at 6:47 pm
   

   To skicougar:

   A standing ovation!!!!! Nice summary (some things I hadn’t heard about) of the underreported successes of the US military.

   (Can someone send a copy of that post to the New York Times, the AP, and Reuters??? Please?!)

   – Ken

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